Recent research from Hong Kong suggests that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, commonly used for osteoporosis, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 16% among older adults.
A large-scale study conducted in Hong Kong has found a significant link between the use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs) for osteoporosis and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The research involved 121,492 adults aged 60 and older, revealing that those who used these medications had a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who did not take osteoporosis drugs. Furthermore, the risk was found to be 24% lower when compared to individuals using other types of osteoporosis medications.
Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates are a class of drugs designed to slow bone loss and decrease the risk of fractures, particularly in individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis. Common examples of these medications include alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, and zoledronate. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weakened bones, making them more susceptible to fractures, and is particularly prevalent among older adults, as noted by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
All participants in the Hong Kong study had either recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis or had experienced a serious fracture in the spine, humerus, wrist, or hip. Importantly, none of the participants had previously received treatment for osteoporosis.
Ching-Lung Cheung, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the emerging evidence of a connection between bone health and brain health. “Emerging evidence points to a bone-brain axis, suggesting a close link between bone and brain health,” Cheung stated. “Our previous studies and those of others have found that people with low bone mass or osteoporosis are more likely to develop dementia later in life. This highlights the importance of maintaining good bone health, which may also help reduce the risk of dementia.”
The findings of this observational study were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. However, Cheung cautioned that the results do not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between bisphosphonate use and reduced dementia risk. “Our findings therefore do not prove that bisphosphonate use reduces dementia risk; this needs confirmation in a clinical trial,” he noted.
Another important consideration raised by the researchers is the generalizability of the study’s findings, as the research was conducted solely within a Chinese population. This raises questions about whether the results can be applied to other demographic groups. Additionally, the study lacked baseline cognitive testing, which means that participants who may have already had cognitive impairments might have been less likely to receive osteoporosis treatment.
The researchers also acknowledged limitations regarding the severity of osteoporosis and bone fractures among participants, as well as the absence of data on their use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements. External factors such as education level, social isolation, air pollution, and vision loss could also influence dementia risk, further complicating the findings.
While the study indicates that older patients receiving NBPs for osteoporosis or fragility fractures had lower rates of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the authors caution against prescribing bisphosphonates specifically for dementia prevention or treatment at this stage.
Cheung and his team called for further research to include a more diverse population and to explore whether gender might play a role in the observed reduced risk. “The next step is to confirm our observational findings in a clinical trial,” Cheung stated. “If the benefit is demonstrated, it could have important implications for dementia management.” The researchers hope that their findings will encourage both patients and healthcare professionals to consider the overall benefits and risks associated with osteoporosis treatment.
According to Fox News Digital, the implications of this study could pave the way for new approaches in managing dementia risk among older adults.